Do you have a bit of spare time to help the Ash Tree? A quick visit to Ash trees near you could help our national response to Ash dieback!
We are supporting the Woodland Trust Scotland‘s Tolerant Ash Project.
Ash dieback was first recorded in the UK in 2012. Today, it is widespread throughout Scotland. It’s estimated we will lose 50-75% of all our ash trees in the next twenty years…Thankfully, some ash trees show a natural tolerance to the disease. And it’s these trees the project wants to find, as they are a potential resource for future breeding or management programmes.
Volunteers are sought to report back on any Ash Trees that seem to be showing Ash dieback tolerance. Ideally this involves you visiting a nearby site which has a)some ash trees present and b)notable specimens that seem to be showing Ash dieback tolerance compared to the surrounding trees.
When do we need volunteers?: Now, i.e. early July to late September (when ash is in leaf)
How do you record your findings?
1) Fill out the reporting form here: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/…/Tolerant-Ash-Tree… (Guidance note + more info here: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/…/Guidance-for-recorders… )
2) Send the competed form and photographs to the WTS email address.
The project is led by WTS’ Diane Baum. Diane said to any potential Dumfries & Galloway volunteers:
“Ash is an iconic tree in our woodlands and supports hundreds of other specialised species of invertebrates, lichens and mosses. The disease ash dieback has been sweeping through the country and could result in the death of over 70% of ash trees. But there is hope. Some ash trees appear to be tolerant to the disease and could form the basis of new, resilient populations. The Woodland Trust need your help to locate these tolerant trees so we have the best information to plan further efforts to safeguard this species for future generations.”
Many thanks to anyone able to take part, any queries get in touch with mcnabb.laurie@dgwoodlands.org.
Photo above: Dying Ash
Photo Belo: Tolerant Ash
